GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
A masked man walks down Jayhawk Boulevard before being arrested by police on the afternoon of Nov. 5.
GEORGE MULLINIX/KANSAN
Masked man alarms students after in-class protests
KANSAN STAFF
@KansanNews
One man wearing military uniform and Guy Fawkes masks, recognizable from the movie and novel "V for Vendetta," entered University lecture halls during classes around 1 p.m. Wednesday in Budig and Wescoe halls to protest the University's handling of sexual assault.
"I am here on behalf of the victims of the sexual assault and rape cases that have been happening on campus," the masked man said. "I am here to let them know that they are not alone."
He was arrested on campus around 2 p.m. by the Office of Public Safety, Captain James Anguiano said.
PSO has not confirmed the exact number of individuals associated with the protest, but sent a campus-wide alert at 2:30 p.m. saying two individuals were in custody after "disrupting classes wearing masks."
One of the individuals, who did not give his name, said his message was a peaceful demonstration and "the only way to be heard." He said most students laughed and pulled
PSO sent officers to perform a safety sweep of Wescoe Hall, according to an alert updated at 3:32 p.m. Anguiano said an investigation of the individuals' connections to the protest is ongoing.
out their cell phones, but the only physical interaction he had was with a professor who tried to grab him and remove his mask.
Courtney Voorhees, a sophomore from Shawnee, said she was in the Budig 110 lecture hall when one of the masked men entered her classroom.
"The people all around me said we all thought he was going to shoot everyone," Voorhees said. "It got to the point where we all started ducking down and me and my friends next to me all grabbed each other's
arms."
Nick Benetti, a sophomore from St. Charles, Ill., said the man visited Wescoe 3140 and relayed his message.
"Everyone got quiet, and we didn't really know what was going on," said Benetti.
He said the professor, Brian Staihr, started walking toward the man, which prompted him to leave the classroom.
Jade Hall, a senior from
Jamie Gadd-Nelson, a junior from Kansas City, said she supports victims for victims of sexual assault, but didn't agree with the masked
"After that it started getting kind of scary because I hadn't really been thinking about that and then people brought it up," Hall said. "I was kind of like, 'Wow, this could be really bad.' "
Derby, was in Budig when the man came in. She said she thought little of it until others around her started wondering if he had a gun.
"I am here on behalf of the victims of the sexual assault and rape cases that have been happening on campus. I am here to let them know that they are not alone."
man's approach.
"People were terrified," Gadd-Nelson said. "Maybe hang out on Wescoe Beach and talk about it, but to go into the classrooms like that I think was definitely overstepping some boundaries."
One of the masked individuals threatened the Kappa Sigma fraternity, saying to a class in Wescoe, "All members who do not dissociate themselves with this fraternity will be seen as guilty parties and they will be dealt with
JOHN COWAN Masked man
accordingly."
Kappa Sigma president Jack Schwartz, a junior from St. Louis, said he contacted police after he heard about masked men making threats against the fraternity.
Lawrence Police Department officers patrolled the area around the fraternity Wednesday night and will potentially for the next few days. Schwartz said they want to be prepared for the worst
and are taking the situation seriously to ensure everyone's safety.
"You can't let these things go lightly, but you also have to keep in mind that this could be anything," Schwartz said. "It could be just, you know, some people trying to gain attention."
Morgan Said, a senior from Kansas City, Mo. and student body president, said Greek Life emailed members during the afternoon of Nov. 5 to say they are not aware a real threat exists but advised them to remain alert and report
A masked man is arrested following in-class protests concerning the University's handling of sexual assault allegations. The man entered classrooms in Budig and Wescoe halls around 1 p.m. on Nov. 5.
suspicious activity to PSO and the Lawrence Police Department.
Will Nye, a junior from Dallas and director of public relations for Interfraternity Council, said Wednesday afternoon that they don't know anything more than the public.
Kappa Sigma is under investigation for an alleged sexual assault. The University extended the fraternity's suspension on Oct. 31. The University is also investigating two rapes that occurred in Hashinger Residence Hall after two men, one a University student, were arrested on Oct. 3.
PSO said anyone with information should call (785) 864-5900.
— Edited by Amelia Arvesen and Emma LeGauh $ ^{10} $
CORRECTION
A KU spokesperson's quote about professor Zamir Bavel in a Dec. 8 article may have left the impression a Douglas County District Court judge ruled on evidence of sexual harassment by the professor. The judge's ruling in favor of the University only addressed the procedures the University followed in handling the matter. Bavel is appealing the judge's decision.
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